Abstract
A previous review summarized research prior to 2004 carried out on the bioactive host-defense peptides contained in the skin secretions of Australian anurans (frogs and toads). This review covers the extension of that research from 2004 to 2012, and includes membrane-active peptides (including antibacterial, anticancer, antifungal and antiviral peptides) together with the mechanisms by which these peptides interact with model membranes, peptides that may be classified as "neuropeptides" (including smooth muscle active peptides, opioids and immunomodulators) and peptides which inhibit the formation of nitric oxide from neuronal nitric oxide synthase. The review discusses the outcome of cDNA sequencing of signal-spacer-active peptides from an evolutionary viewpoint, and also lists those peptides for which activities have not been found to this time.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Amphibian Proteins / chemistry*
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Amphibian Proteins / genetics
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Amphibian Proteins / pharmacology
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Animals
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Anti-Infective Agents / chemistry*
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Anti-Infective Agents / pharmacology
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Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / chemistry*
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Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / genetics
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Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / pharmacology
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Anura / genetics*
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Australia
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Evolution, Molecular
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Humans
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Muscle Contraction / drug effects
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Neuropeptides / chemistry
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Neuropeptides / genetics
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Neuropeptides / pharmacology
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / antagonists & inhibitors
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Oligopeptides / chemistry*
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Oligopeptides / genetics
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Oligopeptides / pharmacology
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Pheromones / chemistry
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Pheromones / genetics
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Protein Structure, Secondary
Substances
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Amphibian Proteins
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Anti-Infective Agents
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Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
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Neuropeptides
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Oligopeptides
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Pheromones
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I